"Me and Kenny (Hilliard) are looking forward to him (Fournette) and Darrel Williams coming in because we're taking a lot of reps," Magee said, indicating the workload is daunting even after three spring practices.

Magee (5-foot-9, 211 pounds) and Hilliard (6-0, 233) are the only ones left from a position that two seasons ago was overstocked at five deep. Juniors Spencer Ware and Michael Ford bailed out for the 2013 NFL draft for that reason. Jeremy Hill and Alfred Blue, both of whom could have returned, are gone for the 2014 draft. In the recruiting class between, the Tigers signed no running backs.

Ultimately that's going to create more playing time for Magee, who was a situational back in 2013, and Hilliard. Magee finished second to Hill in carries (86), rushing yardage (626) and touchdowns (8), and became more of an option as the season went on. He rushed for 358 yards in his last five games.

His role expanded under new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, who used Magee as a third down back and one who could pick his way through traffic out of spread formations with multiple wide receivers.

Magee said he will have another role come the fall and that will be to help Fournette and Williams adapt in a short amount of time in fall camp to be ready for the season, knowing Fournette, touted by some as the next Adrian Peterson, may end up getting the larger share of the carries on the season.

"When I (came here) we had guys like Alfred Blue and Spencer Ware and Michael Ford, they were able to take us under their wing and teach us things and groom us to be the backs we are now," Magee said. "As leaders and seniors on the team, it's me and Kenny's job to bring those guys in and do the same thing, as well as learning from them, too. They are going to have some perspectives and ideas we don't have."

Magee said he hasn't had much contact with Fournette, but has watched his highlight tape and seen how he has handled the hype of being the nation's No. 1 recruit.

"He's a great back," Magee said. "I've watched him run and do great things on the field. I've watched his interviews and whatnot. He handles himself very well, very mature. I think he will handle the transition to college football very nicely.

"I hosted Darrel. He's a great kid. He runs the ball well and is very mature. He looked to be pretty big, bigger than me. He and Leonard are both physical backs who run in between the tackles."

LSU coach Les Miles won't be worried about Magee fulfilling his leadership role. Magee has a habit of doing what he's asked, being moved from running back to wide receiver, and then back last season and being a regular on special teams. Even with Fournette and Williams coming in, Magee is due for a larger role in 2014. He might be the lead candidate to wear the coveted jersey number 18 in the fall.

"Ever since I got here, all I ever wanted was an opportunity to contribute," Magee said. "Special teams, receiver, running back. . . I was willing to do whatever they asked to get an opportunity to get on the field. A lot of times I felt like some of that work was in vain.

"As you get older and mature, (you appreciate) everything you went through preparing you for where you are going to be in the future. If I hadn't had to go through some of those things, my work ethic, my motivation might not be at the level it is now. It was a blessing to go through those things."